The spotlight was heavily focused on the Boston Celtics star after head coach Steve Kerr decided to bench Tatum for Team USA’s opening matchup against Serbia.
During the latest episode of NESN’s “Hold My Banner” podcast, host Travis Thomas believed there would be a chip on Tatum’s shoulder due to Kerr’s decision and that the five-time NBA All-Star would respond accordingly.
“Tatum did not play well in the exhibition games. So, he already hasn’t had the best showing you’ve ever seen,” Travis said. “… Tatum is going to want to go in there and play well because he hasn’t yet and then he was just embarrassed against Serbia, a blowout win by the way. You still can’t find minutes for him. Yeah, sure. So, I think both parties, Steve Kerr and Jayson Tatum, kind of have a point to prove a little bit.”
Kerr put Tatum in the starting lineup alongside Steph Curry, Devin Booker, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Team USA’s 103-86 win over South Sudan. Tatum didn’t have a dominant showing as he tallied four points on 2-for-4 shooting while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out two assists in 17 minutes.
That’s not exactly the stat line expected from Tatum when he had a “point to prove.” But he will get more shots at redemption with Team USA the clear-cut favorite in the tournament.